The Starfish and the Boy; How do you make a difference?

The Starfish and the Boy; How are you making a difference? 

An old man was walking along the beach one day, when he saw a boy scooping something from the sand and throwing it into the sea.
The old man stopped, watched and noticed that the boy was shuffling along the beach repeating the same action – stop, scoop, throw, move.
“What are you doing?” the old man asked.
“I’m saving these stranded starfish” replied the boy, “if they stay on the beach they will dry out and die, so I’m putting them back into the ocean so they can live.”
The old man was silent for a while.
“Young man” he said, “on this stretch of beach there must be more than 100 stranded starfish. Around the next corner, there are 1000s more and this goes on for miles and miles. There must be millions of stranded starfish! I hate to say it, but you’ll never make a difference.”

The boy picked up a starfish and threw it back into the sea and replied “I just made a difference to that one”.


Do you know the starfish story? I heard it again during lockdown and it really resonated.

A few months ago my business was doing well, I had a variety of clients, running various workshops in businesses and my own NLP Practitioner course ready to roll.
Suddenly my business workshops were cancelled, I refunded for my NLP Practitioner, my clients were on line and my pipeline dried up.
I began to doubt myself and questioned what I should do, how I should do it, whether I could be bothered and was it worth having to almost start again?

Then I realised that starting again is an opportunity!
I had the chance to remind myself what was important to me. I realised I don’t need
• A full order book
• to be running around
• to be juggling my diary

Like the boy in the story, what’s important to me is to make a difference to those who want some help to overcome their challenges and find a brighter future and I realised “Of course it is worth it!”

When I help just 1 client gain CLARITY on what’s important, build CAPABILITY to manage difficult people or situations and increase CONFIDENCE to take the next step, then I know I’m successful!

How do you make a difference to the people around you?

If in this strange time you’re in doubt or questioning what you want, contact me to find out how my coaching can give you Clarity, Capability and Confidence to make the difference you want and find your brighter future.

I’m Tracy and I’m more than just a coach, I’m Your Catalyst for Change!

Tracy, Your Catalyst for Change

Call me today on 07443 634722 or to email me click here